What's hot in winter wear

By Patti Minglin

Monday

Sep 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMSep 29, 2008 at 9:12 AM

Falling leaves will soon be followed by falling snowflakes, and families will be trading their light jackets for heavy coats. But bundling up doesn’t mean having to forgo fashion. This year’s hot winter styles can keep everyone warm and looking good.

Falling leaves will soon be followed by falling snowflakes, and families will be trading their light jackets for heavy coats. But bundling up doesn’t mean having to forgo fashion. This year’s hot winter styles can keep everyone warm and looking good.

For moms

Dark denim is a solid choice. “Boot cut is still the most popular,” says Mira Schmidle, buyer for Dean’s Clothing company. “We are not seeing much of the skinny jean or low-waist trend when it comes to denim this season.” As for tops, look for three-quarter-sleeved sweaters layered over turtlenecks or long-sleeved shirts. “This really gives women a lot of options,” says Kelly Kirch of Twist Boutique. “Women can wear them through multiple seasons just by changing the layering.” The colors of the season are deep purple, plum and charcoal.

Outerwear trend: Trench and pea coats. “Women, especially moms, don’t necessarily want to be bogged down with a big winter coat,” Kirch says. “The lighter coat is a great alternative for a woman on the go.”

For dads

Paisley is not only popping up in ties but also in dress shirts. “One of our biggest trends is having a subtle paisley print underneath a stripe in a sports shirt,” says Greg DeGeeter, buyer for Dean’s Clothing. Look for lots of embellishments in men’s shirts, especially on cuffs and collars. Meanwhile, men are going for sport coats in softer materials, making them an ideal pairing for dress pants and jeans. “The sport coat is really the sweater of a man’s winter wardrobe,” DeGeeter says.

From vintage T-shirts to long-sleeve jerseys, the rock ‘n’ roll look is gaining traction. Items can be layered for cooler weather, and they look great with jeans or patterned pants. “The distressed, vintage look is very cool with boys,” says Kim Swisher, owner of Butterflies and Bugs, a children’s store in Naperville, Ill.

At the same time, the preppy look is making a comeback, via brands such as Izod and Polo. The style is a bit more casual than the turned-up-collars of the 1980s, but colors and fits are the same.

Outerwear trend: Bomber jackets with military-inspired logos.

For girls

Layers remain a popular look, from footless leggings under capri pants to long-sleeve shirts under short-sleeve sweaters. Pretty pastels are being replaced by the more vibrant colors of green, pink and blue.

These colors mingle nicely with basic browns and blacks in printed dresses and long shirts.

Meanwhile, just like with boys, the rock ‘n’ roll look is growing in the form of vintage T-shirts and distressed hoodies.